Barack Obama Biographer Highlights Bethesda Literary Festival

The 14th Annual Bethesda Literary Festival will include about 20 author discussions, readings, open houses and writing award presentations over three days in April at nine locations throughout the downtown area.

The event, operated by the Bethesda Urban Partnership (BUP), includes authors on a range of subjects who will discuss their books from Friday, April 19-Sunday, April 21 at locations including the Bethesda Library (7400 Arlington Rd.), Barnes & Noble (4801 Bethesda Ave.) and The Writer’s Center (4508 Walsh St.).

The Washington Post’s David Maraniss will discuss his biography of Barack Obama, which was published last year, starting at noon on April 20 at the Residence Inn Bethesda (7335 Wisconsin Ave.).

BUP and Bethesda Magazine will present winners of their essay and short story contest with awards and particpants will read their works at 7 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda (7400 Wisconsin Ave.) on April 19.

The full schedule is after the jump. For more info, visit the event page.

Friday, April 19

7pm – Award-Winning Essays & Short Stories

Hyatt Regency Bethesda

Adult and high school winners from the Bethesda Literary Festival’s Essay & Short Story Contest will read their work and receive awards.

7pm – Remarkable Writers

The Writer’s Center

Meet journalist and editor, Rachel S. Cox, author of Into Dust and Fire, and award-winning author and The George Washington University director of creative writing, Thomas Mallon, author of Watergate: A Novel, as they discuss their recent books.

8:30pm – Magnificent Memoirs

The Writer’s Center

Bloomberg News executive editor Amanda Bennettshares her story of love and devotion from her book, The Cost of Hope and writer Ken Budd shares his story of travel, love and loss from his book, The Voluntourist.

Join The National Interest editor Robert Merry, author of Where They Stand: The American Presidents in the Eyes of Voters and Historians, and first official White House videographer Arun Chaudhary, author of First Cameraman, for their presidential views.

11 a.m. – Family Story Time

Bethesda Library

Join local children’s book author and illustrator Susan Stockdale as she demonstrates how she creates her award-winning picture books about animals. She will sign her new book, Stripes of All Types, and others following her program. Ages 3 & up.

Meet The Writer’s Center’s workshop leaders, staff, and Board members and learn about upcoming workshops and programs at The Writer’s Center’s Open House. Light refreshments and a raffle will be available.

1 p.m. – John B. Radner

Waverly Street Gallery

Meet George Mason University professor emeritus, John B. Radner, as he speaks about his book, Johnson and Boswell:A Biography of Friendship.

Meet award-winning journalist and first woman Senior Editor in Newsweek history Lynn Povich, author ofThe Good Girls Revolt, and award-winning reporter and bestselling author Liza Mundy, The Richer Sex, as they discuss women’s rising power in the workplace and in life.

3 p.m. – Teen Time

Bethesda Library

Meet author Valerie Patterson as she discusses her new book for teens, Operation Oleander.

5 p.m. – Poetry Readings and Awards

Gallery B

Hear readings from award-winning poet and former Poet Laureate of Maryland Michael Collier, and the winners of the Bethesda Poetry Contest.

Sunday, April 21

11 a.m. – Alice McDermott

Hyatt Regency Bethesda

Meet National Book Award winner and three-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize Alice McDermott as she discusses her award-winning book, That Night, and her career as a writer.

11 a.m. – Local Authors’ Reception

Barnes & Noble

You are invited to roam the aisles, chat with your favorite local authors and have your books signed.

12:30 p.m. – Bestselling Fiction

Hyatt Regency Bethesda

Join bestselling authors Chris Bohjalian, author of The Sandcastle Girls, and Kate Alcott, author of The Dressmaker, for a discussion about their popular reading club books.

2 p.m. – New and Notable

The Writer’s Center

Open Door reading by the recipient of The Writer’s Center’s Emerging Writers Fellowship, Caitlin Horrocks, author of This Is Not Your City, and recipient of The Writer’s Center’s Undiscovered Voices Fellowship,Nicole Idar. The reading will be followed by a reception and book signing.

2:30 p.m. – Scary Mommy

Gallery B

Meet New York Times bestselling author, blogger and domestic satirist, Jill Smokler, for a discussion about her most recent book, Motherhood Comes Naturally (And Other Vicious Lies).